CONCERNING ROSE-SHOWS. 20/ 



suggested in the pages of TJie Florist (^K'^x A 1857), 

 to all Rose-growers, amateur and professional, 

 *' that we should hold near some central station a 

 Grand National Rose-Show — a feast of 

 Roses, at which the whole brotherhood might 

 meet in love and unity, to drink, out of cups of 

 silver, success to the Queen of Flowers." And I 

 must confess that, when I had made this proposal 

 to the world, I rather purred internally with self- 

 approbation. I felt confident that the world 

 would be pleased. Would the world send me a 

 deputation ? Should I be chaired at the London 

 flower-shows ? Perhaps I should be made a 

 baronet. For some days after the publication of 

 the magazine I waited anxiously at home. I 

 opened my letters nervously, but the public made 

 no sign. Had it gone wild with joy ? or were its 

 emotions too deep for words? Weeks passed, and 

 it still was mute. I was disappointed. I had 

 thought better of mankind ; but I was disap- 

 pointed, even as that dog of Thomson's, whose 

 sad story is told in these parts as a warning to the 

 over-sanguine. He heard one morning the sound 

 of familiar footsteps approaching at the hour of 

 food. He said to himself: ''What jolly dogs are 

 we !" He rushed towards the door, jumping and 

 frisking, for he t/iought they were bringing him 



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